Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: Welcome to Harmony - 1st of the Harmony novels
Author: Jodi Thomas
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN-13: 978-0-425-23510-2
Release Date: June 2010
Genre/Sub-genre: Women’s (Small-town) Fiction
Year/Setting: 2006, Harmony TX
Overall Rating: 4.25
Sexual Content Rating: None/Very Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Jodi's Website/Blog: www.jodithomas.com
Having read hometown newspapers and letters to Miss Beverly Truman while in the rest home, Reagan had become captivated with the small town of Harmony, the possibilities it could offer her. She’s decided she’s had had enough of foster homes. It’s her turn for a family, have a place to belong to. And she chooses Harmony and "Uncle" Jeremiah Truman. Besides, no one would miss her in Oklahoma, the system wouldn’t even care that she was gone.
Wow, it’s easier than she thought to slip into a new life, with a new name. She’s by no means lowering her guard, though. Reagan doesn’t trust easily, and isn’t used to kindness being shown toward her; Uncle Jeremiah accepts her into his home with more than a little crustiness, yet it’s more than she’s had in forever, and she’ll take it. She doesn’t want to trust Noah "Preacher" McAllen and his offer of friendship, yet she does with one foot out the door.
The relationships that form are wary yet oddly comforting to Reagan. With Uncle Jeremiah he becomes like a true uncle to her, gruff nonetheless. As for Preacher, that’s a bit more complicated. He’s not had the easiest of lives, either. His older brother was killed several years ago. His sister, Alex, is the town’s Sheriff and seems to be preoccupied with an ongoing and turbulent feud with volunteer Fire Chief, Hank Matheson. His parents are separated and as a result, Preacher is in a sort of limbo, a sort of solitary life of his own. But he’s in his element when he’s riding the broncos and bulls at the rodeo.
Things--prairie fires, personal ghosts, accidents--are going to come into focus and begin to happen in rapid succession, all of which eventually make Reagan realize what it means to be a friend, a part of a family and community. Perhaps even, what it means to be needed. There are others who may find themselves on the receiving end of some of these realizations, too, much to their relief and surprise.
With grace, dignity, a heart-load of emotions, and not a little drama, Ms. Thomas brings to life the town and residents of Harmony. Not only do we see the inner most dreams and thoughts of Reagan, Alex, Hank, and Tyler (the town undertaker), we’re given a peek into some of the other citizens’ personalities and quirks. All of which breathes color into the story and makes each scene quite visual to the reader.
As usual, Ms. Thomas leaves the reader wanting more. More of her characters and more of their stories. Lucky for us she is very prolific and has such wonderful characters whispering in her ear.
Happy reading,
Connie
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